The Virtue of Stuff

I recently learned a definition of virtue that I had never thought of. It comes from Plato and Aristotle. They speak of virtue as that which makes a thing to be what it is, and to do its work well. They say virtue is a habit or quality that allows the bearer to succeed at his, her, or its purpose. So, for example, the virtue of a knife is sharpness and among the virtues of a racehorse is speed.

I've been trying to help the kids understand virtue in this sense - that they have qualities that will help them succeed at their purpose and that even stuff has virtue - or qualities that that make it be what it is meant to be.

For example, if Bud is using his fork as a catepult for his food, I'll remind him that the virtue of a fork is it's ability to pick up food for us to eat, or if the kids think it would be fun to make a tower with the tupperware, I'll explain that the "virtue of tupperware" is the ability to store food. I've also been trying to get them to stop jumping on the couch because the couch was designed for sitting, etc.

Why all this fuss? The general view is often that we should let "kids be kids" and use their imaginations to use things in creative ways. It is also thought beneficial for kids to explore their surrounding with little or no limits in order for them to be creative in using ordinary things in different ways.

I agree with this to some extent - namely that we ought to give our children "raw materials" rope, blankets, blocks, lifeless toys for them to use their imaginations and create their own world and play. This is another great reason to get rid of "entertaining" toys (if you need any more reasons) - those really will stifle creativity. However, until recently, I hadn't stopped to consider that this child-centered view -that children ought to be allowed to play with anything as long as it is not dangerous - might be encouraging selfish and disrespectful attitudes in my children.

I started thinking about this when we got rid of many of our toys, suddenly, to the children, more things around the house started looking like interesting toys to amuse themselves with. I wondered if this was healthy or not. As I started thinking about virtue, I realized that I wanted my children to respect the virtue (the quality that allows it to succeed at it's purpose) of the things around them.

If children learn that they can manipulate their things in any way that suits them, without regard to the properties of that thing, they will learn that it is okay for them to manipulate their environment with little regard to the rules and laws that govern that environment. In other words, they will find ways to make their environment suit their pleasure without regards to how their action ruins their things and subsequently their environment.

If I don't teach my children to see that things have qualities that help them serve their purpose in their best way, they will start to feel entitled to using their environment in any way that suits them, without regard to "petty" rules and laws. That is the last thing I want for my children.

As I thought about this, I realized that many people (myself included) are making their homes a giant playground for their children for fear of "stifling their creativity", and in order to let their children feel that the world is a "safe place". This view was taught to me when I was in school - change your environment so that the children can explore everything around them. I understand how this applies to babies because they are too young to know the rules, but, at the same time, that is why we are supposed to be watching them. We are supposed to be their safe zone, teaching them what is safe and what is not. (I'm not promoting forgoing safety measures for children, by the way). In turn, many children are growing up with a  real lack of respect for their environment (home, church, school, community, country) and it's inherent rules and laws.

We have come to the point that if our child makes a mess of things (not toys) and their environment, we smile and take a picture because they are being so "creative". What does that teach them really? It's something to think about.

This new understanding of virtue has also helped me as I evaluate the stuff we have in our house. What is it's function? What is it that it is meant to do? Do I have it to entertain the children? Do I have it to impress the neighbors? If it's virtue (or quality that makes it be) is not contributing to our family vision - then I do not need it in my home.

I've realized that an object is beautiful if it helps us reach our eternal goals - a love for God and His children, peace, family unity, a refined taste and desire for truth. Why bother with anything else? (No, really, if you can think of a reason - let me know :-) )